Tilt indicator

ABSTRACT

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device and technique for tilt detection and indication is disclosed. The tilt indicator includes a first member having a reservoir for retaining a granular indicating media therein; and a second member coupled to the first member and having an adhesive portion located corresponding to an indicating area of the first member. Responsive to a tilt event, at least a portion of the indicating media exits the reservoir and travels to the indicating area where the adhesive portion retains at least a portion of the indicating media within the indicating area.

BACKGROUND

During manufacturing, storage or transit, many types of objects need tobe monitored due to the sensitivity or fragility of the objects. Forexample, some types of objects may be susceptible to damage if turnedand/or tilted beyond some angular degree. Thus, for quality controlpurposes and/or the general monitoring of transportation conditions, itis desirable to determine and/or verify the conditions to which theobject has experienced.

One type of device for object monitoring is called a tilt or tipindicator. One such type of device includes a plastic housing attachableto an object and having an internal metal disc where the metal discresides within a receptacle within the housing. The front of the housingincludes a window where the metal disc can be seen therethrough (with acolor indicator located behind the disc and hidden from view before atilting event has occurred). If the object is tilted beyond somepredetermined angle, the metal disc falls out of the receptacle suchthat the color indicator can then be seen, indicating a tilt event hasoccurred. Another type of device include a metal ball residing within atubular track such that, in response to tilting of the object, the metalball moves within the track to another location, thereby indicating thedegree of tilting that has occurred.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a device andtechnique for tilt detection and indication is disclosed. The tiltindicator includes a first member having a reservoir for retaining agranular indicating media therein, and a second member coupled to thefirst member and having an adhesive portion located corresponding to anindicating area of the first member. Responsive to a tilt event, atleast a portion of the indicating media exits the reservoir and travelsto the indicating area, the adhesive portion retaining at least aportion of the indicating media within the indicating area.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a tilt indicatorincludes a first member coupled to a second member and forming a cavitytherebetween, the cavity including a reservoir for retaining a granularindicating media therein and an indicating area spaced apart from thereservoir. An adhesive layer is disposed on at least one of the firstand second members in an area corresponding to the indicating area.Responsive to a tilt event, at least a portion of the indicating mediaexits the reservoir and travels to the indicating area, the adhesivelayer retaining at least a portion of the indicating media within theindicating area.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a tiltindicator includes a base assembly formed having an internal cavity, thecavity including a reservoir for holding a granular indicating mediatherein and an indicating area spaced apart from the reservoir. The baseassembly further comprises a retention element located proximate to theindicating area. Responsive to tilting of the tilt indicator from afirst orientation to a second orientation, at least a portion of theindicating media exits the reservoir and travels to the indicating area,the retention element retaining at least a portion of the indicatingmedia within the indicating area in response to the tilt indicatorreturning to the first orientation from the second orientation.

According to yet a further aspect of the present disclosure, a tiltindicator includes a base assembly formed having an internal cavity, thecavity including a reservoir for holding a granular indicating mediatherein, an indicating area, and a buffering area between the reservoirand the indicating area. The buffering area is configured to: responsiveto tilt event, enable at least a portion of the indicating media totravel from the reservoir to the indicating area; and, responsive to anacceleration event, impede travel of the indicating media from thereservoir to the indicating area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present application, theobjects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the followingdescriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an assembled view of a tilt indicatoraccording to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exploded assembly view of the tiltindicator of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a plan view of an embodiment of a basemember of the tilt indicator of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a plan view of an embodiment of a rearmember of the tilt indicator of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 5A-5F are diagrams illustrating various stages of tilt ororientation change of the tilt indicator illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3according to the present disclosure;

FIGS. 6A-6H are diagrams illustrating various stages of tilt orinversion orientation change of the tilt indicator illustrated in FIGS.1, 2 and 3 according to the present disclosure;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating various stages of the tiltindicator of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 in response to a vertical accelerationevent according to the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating various stages of the tiltindicator of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 in response to a lateral accelerationevent according to the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an exploded assembly view of anotherembodiment of a tilt indicator according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device and technique fortilt detection and indication. According to one embodiment, a tiltindicator includes a first member having a reservoir for retaining agranular indicating media therein, and a second member coupled to thefirst member and having an adhesive portion located corresponding to anindicating area of the first member. Responsive to a tilt event, atleast a portion of the indicating media exits the reservoir and travelsto the indicating area, the adhesive portion retaining at least aportion of the indicating media within the indicating area. Embodimentsof the present disclosure provide tilt detection and indication inmultiple directions. Embodiments of the present disclosure furtherprevent false indications by preventing tilt indication in response torelatively short duration acceleration events.

With reference now to the Figures and in particular with reference toFIGS. 1, 2 and 3, exemplary diagrams of a tilt indicator 10 are providedin which illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure may beimplemented. In FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, tilt indicator 10 is a portable deviceconfigured to be affixed to or disposed within a transport containercontaining an object, on the object itself, or otherwise associated withan object, of which tilt events associated therewith are to bemonitored. Embodiments of tilt indicator 10 monitor whether an objecthas been exposed to a tilting event or change in orientation duringmanufacturing, storage and/or transport of the object. In someembodiments, tilt indicator 10 may be affixed to a transport containerusing, for example, adhesive materials, permanent or temporaryfasteners, or a variety of different types of attachment devices. Thetransport container may include a container in which a monitored objectis loosely placed or may comprise a container of the monitored objectitself. It should be appreciated that the above examples are onlyexemplary and are not intended to assert or imply any limitation withregard to the environments in which different embodiments of the tiltindicator of the present disclosure may be implemented.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an assembled view of tilt indicator 10,and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exploded assembly view of tiltindicator 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a plan view ofa base member 12 of tilt indicator 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2. In theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, tilt indicator 10 comprisesa base assembly 14 and a cover member 16. Base assembly 14 may comprisea single, unitary structure (e.g., a molded or cast structure) or maycomprise multiple components coupled together to form an internal cavity18 for holding therein and enabling the flow therein of an indicatingmedia 20. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, base assembly 14includes base member 12 couplable to a rear member 22. In someembodiments, rear member 22 may include an adhesive layer (see FIG. 4)selectively applied to a side of rear member 22 facing base member 12 tofacilitate attachment of rear member 22 to portions of a rearwardlyfacing surface 24 of base member 12. However, it should be understoodthat rear member 22 may be otherwise secured to base member 12 (e.g.,fasteners/gasket, welding, etc.). In some embodiments, base assembly 14may also include an arming plug 26 configured to extend through anopening 28 of rear member 22, and a retention element 30 for retainingarming plug 26 within opening 28 until arming/activation of tiltindicator 10 is desired. In some embodiments, retention element 30 maycomprise an adhesive-backed label that is removably attached to armingplug 26 and at least a portion of a rear surface 32 of rear member 22 toretain arming plug 26 within opening 28 until removed/peeled away by auser of tilt indicator 10. However, it should be understood that otherdevices and/or methods may be used to retain arming plug 26 in apre-activated position within tilt indicator 10 until armed/activated.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, cavity 18 of base member 12is formed having a reservoir 36, a buffering area 38, and indicatingareas 40, 42 and 44. It should be understood that the quantity ofindicating areas may be greater or fewer. In the illustrated embodiment,indicating area 44 is located slightly higher in a vertical directionthan indicating areas 40 and 42; however, it should be understood thatthe vertical positioning of indicating areas 40, 42 and 44 may vary(e.g., based on a desired flow distance from reservoir 36). Base member12 may comprise a molded component having a closed side (e.g., facingcover member 16) and an open side (e.g., facing rear member 22) suchthat securing of rear member 22 to surface 24 essentially enclosescavity 18. However, it should be understood that the formation of cavity18 may be otherwise constructed. In some embodiments, a wall of basemember 12 facing cover member 16 may comprise an opening 50 forintroducing media 20 into cavity 18. For example, in some embodiments,rear member 22 may be secured to surface 24 to substantially enclosecavity 18. Arming plug 26 may then be inserted into/through opening 28and into corresponding detents 52 in base member 12 located slightlyabove reservoir 36. Retention element 30 may then be placed over armingplug 26 to retain arming plug 26 within base member 12. Media 20 maythen be introduced into reservoir 36 via opening 50 (which is locatedbelow detents 52 and arming plug 26). Cover member 16 may then be placedonto a side of base member 12 corresponding to opening 50 (e.g., viaadhesive or otherwise) to seal/close opening 50. In this illustratedembodiment, media 20 is thereby retained within reservoir 36 until tiltindicator 10 is activated/armed. Activating/arming tilt indicator 10 maybe accomplished by removing retention element 30 and arming plug 26.Tilt indicator 10 may then be secured to an object to be monitored. Forexample, in some embodiments, rear surface 32 of rear member 22 maycomprise a peelable backing layer having an adhesive layerthereunder/thereon such that rear surface 32 is adhesively secured to anobject to be monitored (and thereby sealing/closing opening 28).However, it should be understood that base assembly 14 may be otherwiseformed, assembled and/or constructed.

In the illustrated embodiment, cover member 16 is secured to aforward-facing surface of base member 12 and includes three indicatingregions 60, 62 and 64 corresponding to and/or otherwise aligned withrespective indicating areas 40, 42 and 44. For example, in someembodiments, regions 60, 62 and 64 may comprise openings enablingvisibility of indicating areas 40, 42 and 44 therethrough. In someembodiments, cover member 16 may comprise an opaque element except forregions 60, 62 and 64 (which may comprise transparent/translucentportions) such that cavity 18 is shielded from view from aforward-facing side of tilt indicator 10 except for indicating areas 40,42 and 44. Cover member 16 may alternatively be formed from atransparent/translucent material and painted/printed in areas except forregions 60, 62 and 64. It should be understood that in some embodiments,cover member 16 may be omitted. For example, in some embodiments, basemember 12 may be formed from a substantially opaque material (shieldingvisibility of cavity 18 from a forward-facing side of tilt indicator 10except for indicating areas 40, 42 and 44 (e.g., the forward-facingsurfaces of base member 12 in indicating areas 40, 42 and 44 may bebuffed, polished and/or otherwise treated to enable visibility ofindicating areas 40, 42 and 44)). In this embodiment, opening 50 mayalso be omitted (e.g., placing media 20 within reservoir from a rearside of base assembly 14). In some embodiments, cover member 16 may beomitted and base member 12 formed from a transparent/translucentmaterial and painted except for areas corresponding to indicating areas40, 42 and 44. Thus, it should be understood that base assembly 14 maybe configured differently such that indicating areas 40, 42 and 44 arevisible from a forward-facing side of tilt indicator 10 to enableviewing of indicating areas 40, 42 and 44 to determine whether a tiltingevent has occurred.

In the illustrated embodiment, buffering area 38 is located betweenreservoir 36 and indicating areas 40, 42 and 44. Buffering area 38includes a number of blocking elements 70 configured to impede the flowof media 20 from reservoir 36 to one or more of indicating areas 40, 42and 44. For example, blocking elements 70 may comprise outwardlyextending walls, posts, ridges and/or protrusions within cavity 18 thatare positioned between reservoir 36 and one or more of indicating areas40, 42 and 44 to prevent and/or impede media 20 from reaching indicatingareas 40, 42 and 44 in response to experiencing a short durationacceleration event. In the illustrated embodiment, blocking elements 70include elements 72, 74, 76 and 78. It should be understood that thequantity, shape and/or form of blocking elements 70 may be varied toproduce a desired impediment to media 20 flow. In the illustratedembodiment, member 78 is located slightly below indicating area 44 andfunctions to substantially block a direct flow path for media 20 toreach indicating area 44. Members 72 and 74 each have downwardlyextending arms 80 and 82, respectively, that function to impede thedirect flow of media 20 to indicating area 44. Member 76 is centrallylocated in a substantially vertical direction and functions to impedelateral media 20 flow movement into media flow paths 84 and 86 that leadto respective indicating areas 42 and 40. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, base member 12 includes downwardly extendingwalls 88 and 90 that, in cooperation with respective opposing sidewalls92 and 94, define and/or otherwise form respective media flow paths 84and 86.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of rear member 22 inaccordance with the present disclosure. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 4, rear member 22 includes a retention element 100 for retaining atleast a portion of media 20 within a respective indicating area 40, 42and 44 in response to a portion of media 20 reaching a respectiveindicating area 40, 42 and 44. For example, in some embodiments,retention element 100 includes an adhesive layer 102 selectively appliedto areas of rear member 22 located outside of a periphery 104 of cavity18 except for areas of rear member 22 located in alignment withindicating areas 40, 42 and 44. For example, in some embodiments,adhesive layer 102 is selectively applied to a surface/face of rearmember 22 facing surface 24 of base member 12 to enable rear member 22to be secured to base member 12 (as well as enclose cavity 18). Portionsof adhesive layer 102 are located to extend over indicating areas 40, 42and 44 for capturing and/or adhering thereto a portion of media 20 thatmay enter respective indicating areas 40, 42 and 44. It should beunderstood that in alternate embodiments, retention element 100 (e.g.,an adhesive layer) may be located on base member 12 (e.g., instead of onrear member 22). For example, an adhesive layer may be applied tointernal areas of base member 12 within indicating areas 40, 42 and 44.Further, in alternate embodiments, retention element 100 may be locatedon cover member 16. For example, in some embodiments, base member may beconstructed as having cavity 18 extending therethrough such that covermember 16 and rear member 22 function to enclose cavity 18 when securedto base member 12. In this embodiment, cover member 16 may be configuredhaving areas (e.g., regions 60, 62 and 64) that cover indicating areas40, 42 and 44, and an adhesive layer may be applied to such areas suchthat the adhesive layer lies within respective indicating areas 40, 42and 44. Thus, it should be understood that tilt indicator 10 may beconstructed with various different embodiments. In the illustratedembodiment, retention element 100 comprises an adhesive layer/materialfor adhering thereto at least a portion of media 20 reaching arespective indicating area 40, 42 and 44. However, it should beunderstood that other types of retention elements may be used (e.g.,depending on the type of media 20 used, different types of retentionelements may be used). For example, if media 20 comprises a ferrousmaterial, retention element 200 may comprise a magnetic material.

FIGS. 5A-5F are diagrams illustrating various stages of tilt ororientation change of tilt indicator 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3according to the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment,various components of tilt indicator 10 are omitted/hidden to betterillustrate the position/flow of media 20 in response to changes inorientation of tilt indicator 10. FIG. 5A depicts tilt indicator 10 in avertical position (e.g., secured to an object to be monitored) in anarmed/activated state. FIGS. 5B-5E depict tilt indicator 10 in responseto a counterclockwise tilting event. FIG. 5F depicts tilt indicator 10after being returned to a vertical orientation after the tilting eventdepicted in FIGS. 5B-5E. As illustrated in FIGS. 5B-5E, as tiltindicator 10 is tilted in the counterclockwise direction, media 20begins exiting reservoir 36 and entering buffering area 38. In someembodiments, media 20 comprises a granular and/or crystalline media suchthat granules/crystals of media 20 flow into buffering area 38 and flowtoward media flow path 86. For example, in some embodiments, media 20may comprise crushed quartz or another granular/crystalline media havinga relatively low mass. However, it should be understood that othersubstances may also be used for media 20.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 5C-5E, as tilt indicator 10 is tilted,media flow path 86 becomes oriented at a downwardly sloping directionrelative to reservoir 36, thereby facilitating the flow of media 20 downflow path 86 and into indicating area 40. As described above, retentionelement 100 is located in the area of indicating area 40 (e.g., adhesivelayer 102) such that at least a portion of media entering indicatingarea 40 adheres to adhesive layer 102. FIG. 5F depicts tilt indicator 10after the return of tilt indicator 10 to a vertical orientation. Asillustrated in FIG. 5F, a portion of media 20 that has adhered toadhesive layer 102 is retained within indicating area 40 (while aremainder of media 20 may return to reservoir 36) and is thereby visibleas an indication that the monitored object has experienced a tiltingevent (e.g., tilted beyond some angular orientation causing media 20 toenter indicating area 40). For example, media 20 may be of a color thatis visible through cover member 16 (e.g., through region 60) to providean indication of a tilting event. For example, in the pre-activatedstate, the area within region 60 may be uncolored or of a certain colorwhich changes due to the color/presence of media 20 within indicatingarea 40/region 60. For ease of illustration and description, FIGS. 5A-5Fdepict a counterclockwise tilting event; however, it should beunderstood that a similar process as described above occurs for aclockwise tilting event (e.g., media 20 flowing into indicating area 42and being visible within/through region 62 of cover member 16).

FIGS. 6A-6H are diagrams illustrating various stages of tilt ororientation change of tilt indicator 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3according to the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment,various components of tilt indicator 10 are omitted/hidden to betterillustrate the position/flow of media 20 in response to changes inorientation of tilt indicator 10. FIG. 6A depicts tilt indicator 10 in avertical position (e.g., secured to an object to be monitored) in anarmed/activated state. FIGS. 6B-6G depict tilt indicator 10 in responseto an inversion tilting event (e.g., tilt indicator 10 being rotatedforward (or rearward) by 180 degrees and/or rotated in the existingplane of tilt indicator by 180 degrees). FIG. 6H depicts tilt indicator10 after being returned to a vertical orientation after theinversion/tilting event depicted in FIGS. 6B-6G. As illustrated in FIGS.6B-6G, in response to the inversion tilting of tilt indicator 10, media20 exits reservoir 36 and enters buffering area 38. Media travelsdownwardly within buffering area 38, past and/or through flow channelsformed by blocking elements 70 toward indicating area 44. As describedabove, retention element 100 is located in the area of indicating area44 (e.g., adhesive layer 102) such that at least a portion of mediaentering indicating area 44 adheres to adhesive layer 102. FIG. 6Hdepicts tilt indicator 10 after the return of tilt indicator 10 to avertical orientation. As illustrated in FIG. 6H, a portion of media 20that has adhered to adhesive layer 102 is retained within indicatingarea 44 (while a remainder of media 20 may return to reservoir 36) andis thereby visible (e.g., through/within region 64 of cover member 16)as an indication that the monitored object has experienced an inversiontilting event.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating various stages of tiltindicator 10 of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 in response to a vertical accelerationevent according to the present disclosure. In the embodiment illustratedin FIGS. 7A and 7B, a downward acceleration event is experienced by tiltindicator 10. Tilt indicator 10 and, specifically, buffering area 38, isconfigured such that vibration and/or acceleration events of low timeduration will not cause indicating media 20 to enter indicating area 40,42 and 44 and give a false indication that a tilting event has occurred.For example, in the illustrated embodiment, false tilting indicationsare prevented by blocking elements 70 formed within buffering area 38.In response to a downward acceleration event and/or vertical vibrations,media 20 attempts to move directly upwards out of reservoir 36.Initially, tapered, upper sidewalls 120 and 122 of reservoir 36 cause acompression of indicting media 20 as indicating media 20 attempts toupwardly exit reservoir 36. This compression action impedes the flow ofindicating media 20 upwards from reservoir 36. Indicating media 20 thatcontinues upwardly will collide with blocking elements 70 located withinbuffering area 38 (e.g., elements 72, 74 and 78, and arms 80 and 82)that serve to deflect and impede the progress of indicating media 20upwardly. Any indicating media 20 travelling upwards isblocked/deflected, thereby creating an amount of turbulence in the flowof indicating media 20. This turbulence further slows down and/orreduces the flow rate and travel of indicating media 20 upwardly. Thesecollisions lengthen the time required for indicating media 20 to flowthrough buffering area 38 and functions as a filter to block and impedethe movement of indicating media 20 until the acceleration/vibrationevent has ceased/decreased. When the acceleration/vibration hasceased/decreased, indicating media 20 within buffering area 38 thenreturns back to reservoir 36. Thus, in response to vertical/downwardacceleration of tilt indicator 10, indicating media 20 is substantiallydeflected and/or prevented from entering into indicating area 44.Further, walls 88 and 90 substantially deflect and/or prevent indicatingmedia 20 from entering media flow paths 84 and 86 leading to respectiveindicating areas 42 and 40.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating various stages of tiltindicator 10 of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 in response to a lateral accelerationevent according to the present disclosure. In the embodiment illustratedin FIGS. 8A and 8B, an acceleration event in a left lateral direction isdepicted; however, it should be understood that a right lateralacceleration event may be similar. Thus, an acceleration of tiltindicator 10 in a left lateral direction will direct indicating media 20to the right side of reservoir 36, and a top portion of indicating media20 may begin to escape reservoir 36 into buffering area 38. If theduration of the acceleration is long enough, indicating media 20 mayapproach the mouth of media flow path that leads to indicating area 42.As indicating media 20 begins to move into and/or near media flow path84, indicating media 20 encounters an angled change in direction causedby an angled portion of a sidewall 130 of cavity 18 that increases theresistance to the flow of indicating media 20. In some embodiments,indicating media 20 comprises a collection of very small granules,crystals or other type of solid, particulate matter that have a low massand thus are not capable of producing appreciable momentum. Thischaracteristic impedes the travel of indicating media 20 up media flowpath 84. The restriction of flow of indicating media 20 slows thetravel/flow rate of indicating media 20 such that the acceleration maysubside before indicating media 20 travels through media flow path 84and arrives at indication area 42. For example, tilting events aregenerally of a longer duration than acceleration/vibration events.Embodiments of the present tilt indicator 10 are configured to delay theflow of indicating media 20 such that short durationacceleration/vibration events result in indicating media 20 beingblocked/impeded from flowing into indicating areas 40, 42 and 44. When atilting event occurs, indicating media 20 has additional time to flowthough buffering area 38 and arrive at one or more of indicating areas40, 42 and 44.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are configured as a function ofthe angle of repose of indicating media 20. For example, the angles,lengths and shapes of features such as reservoir 36, buffering area 38and/or blocking elements 70 are configured to achieve the desiredangle(s) of tilt activation and, in some embodiments, ensure that whentilt indicator 10 returns to the upright/vertical position, indicatingmedia 20, except for indicating media 20 that has adhered to adhesivelayer 102 within a respective indicating area 40, 42 and/or 44, returnsto reservoir 36.

Base member 12 may be formed from transparent, translucent, semi-opaqueor opaque materials. For example, if formed as a molded component, basemember 12 may be formed from transparent, translucent or semi-opaquematerial such that indicating media 20 located within indicating areas40, 42 and/or 44 are visible through a corresponding portion of basemember 12. Areas of base member 12 outside or adjacent to indicatingareas 40, 42 and 44 may be masked, painted, covered, etc. (in someembodiments, cover member 16 may then be omitted). If base member 12 isformed with cut-outs forming some or all of reservoir 36, buffering area38 and indicating areas 40, 42 and 44, base member 12 may be formed fromany material (e.g., transparent, translucent, semi-opaque or opaquematerials) such that cover member 16 and/or rear member 22 includeswindows enabling visibility of indicating media 20 when located inindicating areas 40, 42 and 44.

In the illustrated embodiment, three indicating areas 40, 42 and 44 areillustrated. However, it should be understood that a greater or fewerquantity of indicating areas may be included in tilt indicator 10. Forexample, tilt indicator 10 may be formed with a single indicating area(e.g., to accommodate applications where a single or particular tiltdirection or magnitude of tilt is of concern). In some embodiments,multiple indicating areas may be included along a particular side oftilt indicator 10 (e.g., one at 25 degrees from horizontal, one at 55degrees from horizontal, and one at 90 degrees from horizontal) toenable a visual indication of different degrees or magnitudes ofdetected tilt.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an exploded assembly view of anotherembodiment of tilt indicator 10 according to the present disclosure. Inthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, tilt indicator 10 comprises baseassembly 14 and cover member 16. As illustrated in FIG. 9, base assembly14 comprises base member 12 couplable to rear member 22. In thisembodiment, rear member 22 includes an adhesive layer 132 applied to aside of rear member 22 facing base member 12 to facilitate attachment ofrear member 22 to portions of rearwardly facing surface 24 of basemember 12. As will be described further below, adhesive layer 132 alsofunctions as retention element 100 (FIG. 4) for retaining at least aportion of media within indicating areas 40, 42 and 44. In theillustrated embodiment, base assembly 14 also includes arming plug 26configured to extend through opening 28 of rear member 22, and retentionelement 30 for retaining arming plug 26 within opening 28 untilarming/activation of tilt indicator 10 is desired.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, base member 12 comprises amolded component having a recess 140 formed therein and being open in adirection facing rear member 22 and closed in a direction toward covermember 16. Recess 140 extends around a periphery of cavity 18. Forexample, cavity 18 includes reservoir 36, buffering area 38, andindicating areas 40, 42 and 44. Cavity 18 is formed being closed towardcover member 16 and open toward rear member 22. In the illustratedembodiment, base assembly 14 also includes a backplate 142. Backplate142 is formed having a shape complementary to a shape of recess 140 suchthat backplate 142 is placed into recess 140 until a rearwardly facingsurface 144 of backplate 142 is flush (e.g., flush or substantiallyflush) with surface 24. In the illustrated embodiment, one or morestandoffs 146 are formed about a periphery of recess 140, and arearwardly facing surface 148 of walls forming cavity 18 are formedslightly below surface 24, such that backplate 144 is slid into recess140 and sits atop surface 148 and standoffs 146. Backplate 142 alsoincludes openings 150, 152 and 154 corresponding to respective locationsof indicating areas 40, 42 and 44, which are aligned with respectiveindicating regions 60, 62 and 64 of cover member 16.

A wall of base member 12 facing cover member 16 may comprise opening 50for introducing media 20 into cavity 18. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, backplate 142 is placed within recess 140 and encloses therearward portion of cavity 18 (e.g., except for openings 150, 152 154and an opening 160 for receiving arming plug 26 therethrough). Rearmember 22 includes adhesive layer 132 extending substantially over anentire forwardly facing surface thereof (e.g., facing backplate 142) andis secured thereby to surface 24 and to surface 144. Arming plug 26 maythen be inserted into/through openings 28 and 160 and into base member12 located slightly above reservoir 36.

Media 20 may then be introduced into reservoir 36 via opening 50. Covermember 16 may then be placed onto a side of base member 12 correspondingto opening 50 (e.g., via adhesive or otherwise) to seal/close opening50. In this illustrated embodiment, media 20 is thereby retained withinreservoir 36 until tilt indicator 10 is activated/armed.Activating/arming tilt indicator 10 may be accomplished by removingretention element 30 and arming plug 26. Tilt indicator 10 may then besecured to an object to be monitored. For example, in some embodiments,rear surface 32 of rear member 22 may comprise a peelable backing layerhaving an adhesive layer thereunder/thereon such that rear surface 32 isadhesively secured to an object to be monitored (and therebysealing/closing opening 28). However, it should be understood that baseassembly 14 may be otherwise formed, assembled and/or constructed.

In the illustrated embodiment, adhesive layer 132 applied to a forwardlyfacing surface of rear member 22 (e.g., facing backplate 142) andextends across/over openings 150, 152 and 154 such that media 20 thatmay enter respective indicating areas 40, 42 and 44 resulting fromtilting of tilt indicator 10 is retained thereon/thereto, therebyproviding a visual indication of a tilt event via respective regions 60,62 and 64.

Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure enable tilt event detectionand indication that inhibits false tilt indications. Embodiments of thepresent disclosure provide a tilt indicator that includes elements thatimpede, deflect and/or otherwise inhibit a tilt indication in responseto relatively short duration acceleration and/or vibration events.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the disclosure and the practical application, and toenable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosurefor various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tilt indicator, comprising: a first memberhaving a reservoir for retaining a granular indicating media therein;and a second member coupled to the first member and having an adhesiveportion located corresponding to an indicating area of the first member;and wherein, responsive to a tilt event, at least a portion of theindicating media exits the reservoir and travels to the indicating area,the adhesive portion retaining at least a portion of the indicatingmedia within the indicating area.
 2. The tilt indicator of claim 1,further comprising a buffering area located between the reservoir andthe indicating area.
 3. The tilt indicator of claim 2, furthercomprising a blocking element located within the buffering area.
 4. Thetilt indicator of claim 1, further comprising a buffering area forming apath between the reservoir and the indicating area, the buffering areaconfigured to impede travel of the indicating media from the reservoirto the indicating area.
 5. The tilt indicator of claim 2, wherein,responsive to an acceleration event in a direction causing theindicating media to exit the reservoir, the buffering area is configuredto prevent movement of the indicating media into the indicating area. 6.The tilt indicator of claim 1, wherein the indicating media comprisescrushed quartz.
 7. The tilt indicator of claim 1, wherein the indicatingarea comprises a first indicating area for visually indicating a tiltevent in a first direction and a second indicating area for visuallyindicating a tilt event in a second direction.
 8. A tilt indicator,comprising: a first member coupled to a second member and forming acavity therebetween, the cavity including a reservoir for retaining agranular indicating media therein and an indicating area spaced apartfrom the reservoir; and an adhesive layer disposed on at least one ofthe first and second members in an area corresponding to the indicatingarea; and wherein, responsive to a tilt event, at least a portion of theindicating media exits the reservoir and travels to the indicating area,the adhesive layer retaining at least a portion of the indicating mediawithin the indicating area.
 9. The tilt indicator of claim 8, furthercomprising a buffering area located between the reservoir and theindicating area, the buffering area including at least one blockingelement configured to impede travel of the indicating media from thereservoir to the indicating area.
 10. The tilt indicator of claim 9,wherein, responsive to an acceleration event in a direction causing theindicating media to exit the reservoir, the buffering area is configuredto prevent movement of the indicating media into the indicating area.11. The tilt indicator of claim 8, wherein the indicating mediacomprises crushed quartz.
 12. The tilt indicator of claim 8, wherein theindicating area comprises a first indicating area for visuallyindicating a tilt event in a first direction and a second indicatingarea for visually indicating a tilt event in a second direction.
 13. Thetilt indicator of claim 8, further comprising a buffering area locatedbetween the reservoir and the indicating area, the buffering areaconfigured to prevent movement of the indicating media into theindicating area in response to an acceleration event of short duration.14. A tilt indicator, comprising: a base assembly formed having aninternal cavity, the cavity including a reservoir for holding a granularindicating media therein and an indicating area spaced apart from thereservoir, the base assembly further comprising a retention elementlocated proximate to the indicating area; and wherein, responsive totilting of the tilt indicator from a first orientation to a secondorientation, at least a portion of the indicating media exits thereservoir and travels to the indicating area, the retention elementretaining at least a portion of the indicating media within theindicating area in response to the tilt indicator returning to the firstorientation from the second orientation.
 15. The tilt indicator of claim14, further comprising a buffering area located between the reservoirand the indicating area, the buffering area configured to causeturbulence in a flow of the indicating media exiting the reservoir inresponse to an acceleration event.
 16. The tilt indicator of claim 14,further comprising further comprising a buffering area located betweenthe reservoir and the indicating area, the buffering area including ablocking element configured to impede travel of the indicating mediafrom the reservoir to the indicating area.
 17. The tilt indicator ofclaim 14, further comprising a buffering area forming a path between thereservoir and the indicating area, the buffering area configured toreduce a speed of travel of the indicating media within the bufferingarea in response to an acceleration event.
 18. The tilt indicator ofclaim 14, further comprising a buffering area located between thereservoir and the indicating area, and wherein, responsive to anacceleration event in a direction causing the indicating media to exitthe reservoir, the buffering area is configured to prevent movement ofthe indicating media into the indicating area.
 19. The tilt indicator ofclaim 14, wherein the indicating media comprises crushed quartz.
 20. Atilt indicator, comprising: a base assembly formed having an internalcavity, the cavity including a reservoir for holding a granularindicating media therein, an indicating area, and a buffering areabetween the reservoir and the indicating area; and wherein the bufferingarea is configured to: responsive to a tilt event, enable at least aportion of the indicating media to travel from the reservoir to theindicating area; and responsive to an acceleration event, impede travelof the indicating media from the reservoir to the indicating area. 21.The tilt indicator of claim 20, wherein the buffering area includes atleast one blocking element.
 22. The tilt indicator of claim 20, whereinthe buffering area comprises a media path leading to the indicatingarea, wherein the buffering area is configured to cause a change in flowdirection of the indicating media as the indicating media moves from thereservoir to the media path.
 23. The tilt indicator of claim 20, whereinthe indicating media comprises crushed quartz.
 24. The tilt indicator ofclaim 20, wherein the indicating area comprises a first indicating areafor visually indicating a tilt event in a first direction and a secondindicating area for visually indicating a tilt event in a seconddirection
 25. The tilt indicator of claim 20, wherein the buffering areais configured to impede travel of the indicating media from thereservoir to the indicating area for the acceleration event being in atleast two different directions.